Quote Originally Posted by Geo View Post
Thanks all. I am planning to add mosses on the bottom for greenery and a few areas as leaf litter sections. Using crushed almond leaf that I had around for my bettas. I would like to find something natural to add to the back wall that will grow and spread. Right now I am thinking of adding java moss as I find that to be easy. If anyone has any suggestions please pass them along. This is also my first setup with a false bottom as my pervious setups involved having waterfalls, pools and so on. This time I am trying to go for something different and more relevant to a climber rather then a swimmer species. I was inspired to try this based of some of Bill's stuff. The exo terra is the cubed 18 x 18 x 18. Would, if I have a lot of plants and such, I be able to keep 4 mantellas in this comfortably or is that pushing it? I have two in there at present. Should I cover the top to maintain humidity or partial cover it or leave it open as I am a bit confused if they prefer cool or warm / humid. I am ordering wingless fruit fly culture to provide a food source. I have noticed that they have a preference for the croton plant over the sheffllera and ivy that are presently in there.
i apologize Geo, i meant to respond to this days ago, and got caught up in my own little world. i think putting 4 in that tank would be pushing it, unless (i always have an unless) you have a confirmed 2 males and 2 females. mantellas are weird, females stay on the floor, while the males pick out a territory and climb high to defend it. so you would have 2 occupying the ground and 2 occupying the land. that would most likely work.

humidity, i keep mine in the high 70's. i don't heat my tank, and the tank is in a relatively unheated basement. i have a space heater to keep my part of the man/frog/fish cave at a nice 70. so they get cooler temps at night and warmer temps during the day. not as extreme as what is outside, but more like their natural habitat. and remember, if you plan on breeding them, this would be their cold, dry season (June for them). i have links for the climate of Madagascar if you need them. yeah, i researched thoroughly before i built....LOL

oh, and they are wonderful little interior decorators. one of my males has dug out a spot to hide under my oak leaf fig and the females are constantly rearranging little things on the floor. subtle changes, but i notice them. i need to stop staring at my tanks for so long...lol

btw, i just ordered 8 of those little cuties tonight, i should have them this week